Product Details

• Actors: Jerry Archbold, Fritz Benedict, Bill Bowerman, Ralph Bromighin, David Brower
• Directors: Beth Gage, George Gage
• Writers: Beth Gage
• Producers: Beth Gage, George Gage
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: First Run Features
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 72 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304406134
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,308 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #71 in

  Video > Documentary > Military & War > World War II

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Of all the stories to come out of the Second World War, the little known subject of this 1995 documentary ranks as one of the most fascinating. Sometimes lively and stirring archival footage is coupled with present-day interviews of veterans to shape a portrait of the 10th Mountain Division, an unlikely group of skiers and mountaineers trained to combat the Nazis in the difficult terrain of the Italian Alps. Chronicling the origins of the division, with its beginnings in the burgeoning phenomenon of the sport in the 1930s through its formation by civilian authorities in anticipation of coming U.S. involvement in World War II, Fire on the Mountain illustrates the difficult training in the Colorado Rockies that prepared the men for the assault on Riva Ridge against an all but impenetrable Nazi foothold in the Italian mountains. With a combination of luck, perseverance, and sacrifice, the men of the 10th Mountain Division succeed in capturing a vital position in the European theater, helping to turn the tide of the war. The film by Beth Gage and George Gage shows the impact these men had not only on the outcome of the war, but on the sport of skiing and the emergence of the Rocky Mountain region as the historical center of the pastime. With its vivid imagery and historical impact, Fire on the Mountain is sure to appeal to history buffs and ski bums alike. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1940's outdoorsmen become war heroes and more, July 10, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Seattle) - See all my reviews

An excellent documentary of the WWII Tenth Mountain Division, the only US troops ever trained for mountain battles. Sort of an outdoorsy version of Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation. The division proved an irresistable opportunity to the best skiers, climbers and outdoorsmen of the day who wanted to both pursue their avocations as well as serve their country. The film provides an entertaining look into the training methods and battles of the division. But the most interesting part of the story of the tenth division is the significance of the post-war contributions of its members in fields such as sports business and environmentalism. The surviving members, all well into their seventies and eighties, still hold an annual reunion to climb, hike, ski and reminisce about their fallen comrades. In one incredibly moving segment, the film documents one recent reunion where the members held a joint climb with members of a similar club of Italian veterans on the mountain that was the sight of their greatest battle.

Anyone should find this video entertaining, but outdoor enthusiasts should find it particularly enjoyable. These men are admirable to me for their skill and dedication in the outdoors in an era before such activites became fashionable; add in their sense of duty and honor as well as their eloquence and I find them to be true heroes. I thank the producers of this film for introducing them to me

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars regarding Dole... might be a reason he was not included..., January 10, 2008

By	Charles Choi (Astoria, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Fire on the Mountain (DVD)

I agree that Dole's absence is curious, and if done for political reasons, unpleasant. However, Dole apparently joined 10th Mountain in Feb. 1945 and didn't undergo the training in the Colorado Rockies that most of this film is focused on (http://www.life.com/Life/lifebooks/military/intro.html). That might be why the movie didn't interview him -- only talking with either the filmmakers or Dole himself will settle the question.

Anyhow, about the movie -- it's good enough, I suppose. The use of a harmonica during some of the narration is hokey, but tolerable. I wish there was more discussion of how all that training specifically came in handy; I wish there were more war stories here period. Otherwise the film just comes across as a bunch of guys having fun until late in the war, while other soldiers are fighting and dying.

3.0 out of 5 stars The Flame Died Out, April 8, 2009

By	Greenknight01 "[e-mail]" (Some where in New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire on the Mountain (DVD)

A fair look at the WW2 Tenth Mountain Divison Men. However, this documentry is written and produced by typical knee-jerk liberals(just check out some of their other projects). Ironically,liberal biased PBS produced an earlier excellent ***** look at this WWII unit and it's postwar legacy. I have this PBS video on VHS made several years before this documentry. The producers appear to have deliberately shunned a man such as 10th veteran Bob Dole, simply out of political motivation. I am only echoing here what two other reveiwers have already written, but is rings true. In many ways this documentry appears to be a plagiary of the earlier PBS documentry! I served in 3/172nd INFANTRY BATTALION (MOUNTAIN) New Hampshire Army National Guard, attended the National Guard Mountain Warfare School and trained with the Italian Alpini. I therefore have a special interest in this area of Military History. PBS came out with a new special about the 10th called "The Last Ridge" recently. I believe that would have been a better use of my hard earned money rather than this DVD...